Nature House Week 2 Events: July 9 - 12

We have a special treat this week with not one but two Tides to Trails outings - join local experts in the forest and on the beach as we explore the living landscapes of Thetis Island. Meanwhile, young navigators chart their course at TIME Jr., edible seaweeds take centre stage at the SLC, and Alistair Howes joins us Sunday to talk food security and community resilience. A full and inspiring week - we hope to see you out there!

Who you calling slimy? Join Andy Lamb at Clam Bay to discover who's hiding beneath the surface.

Thursday, July 9

2-3:30 TIME Jr: Ocean Navigation (youth 8-15)

Location: Sea Life Centre, Telegraph Harbour Marina

Young ocean enthusiasts aged 8–15 are invited to join TIME Jr. - the junior division of the Thetis Island Marine Explorers dive club. Each week, participants help care for the residents of the Sea Life Centre's seaquarium while diving into a new marine topic, both at the SLC and out in the field. For more information about this special program, contact Maya at maya@thetisislandnatureconservancy.org

This week we're exploring ocean navigation! Learn how to use marine charts to plot a course, how tides and currents work, and more. We'll finish with a paper boat race - build your own at home and bring it along. Two rules only: the boat must be powered by natural means (wind or current), and must include a paper component somewhere. Get creative and reuse materials!

Friday, July 10

9-11 Tides to Trails: Nature Walk with Keith Rush & Bill Dickie

Location: Lawrence Valley Trail - meet at the end of Mission Rd. at 9AM

Join local experts Keith Rush and Bill Dickie on the well-loved Lawrence Valley loop trail. Keith, a professional forester and avid birder, will share his knowledge of forests and point out bird species along the way. Bill, a long-time Thetis resident and steward of the trail, will share his expansive knowledge of the local landscape and a little Thetis Island history. Between the two of them, no question will go unanswered!

1-3 SLC Drop-in: Edible Oceans (all ages)

Location: Sea Life Centre at Telegraph Harbour Marina

Did you know that most seaweeds are edible and packed with beneficial nutrients? Come down to the Sea Life Centre to find out which ones are the tastiest, how to prepare them, and taste some fresh local seaweed for yourself!

The SLC is open Friday–Sunday whenever the seastar flag is flying - drop in anytime!

Saturday, July 11

9-11 Tides to Trails: Intertidal Walk with Andy Lamb

Location: Clam Bay - park at the end of Clam Bay Rd. and meet on the beach

A second Tides to Trails this week - not to be missed! If you've ever found a mysterious creature on the beach and wondered what it was, now is your chance to find out. Join local sea creature expert Andy Lamb for an intertidal walk that will surprise even the most seasoned tidepool explorer. (Note the early start - we follow the tides!)

1-3 SLC Drop-in: Edible Oceans (all ages)

Location: Sea Life Centre at Telegraph Harbour Marina

Missed Friday's session? Same great activity running again today - see Friday for details.

Sunday, July 12

9-11 Harvest Hours (all ages)

Location: The People’s Apothecary Garden, Lot 62

What's in season: July is one of the most rewarding times to visit - Borage stars are opening, Lavender is at its fragrant peak, Yarrow is in full bloom, and Mullein towers above everything on its second-year spike. The aromatic herbs - Sage, Thyme, Oregano, Rosemary, and Bay Laurel, are loaded with essential oils right now, and the bitter beauties (Mugwort, Wormwood, Betony) are putting up their best growth of the year.

The PAG is open to the public during daylight hours - come wander and explore anytime.

Mullein flowers ready for the picking. Just mind the fuzz!

1-3 SLC Drop-in: Edible Oceans (all ages)

Location: Sea Life Centre at Telegraph Harbour Marina

The SLC is open Friday–Sunday whenever the seastar flag is flying - drop in anytime!

2-4 S4: Growing Food & Community with Alistair Howes

Location: Forbes Hall

Providing access to healthy, sustainable food for local communities often requires thinking outside the box. Join Alistair Howes as he shares how communities can strengthen their food systems, and explores the variety of food security projects FED Urban Agriculture has underway. FED's mission is to create high-impact urban food system projects that contribute to an equitable and regenerative future - through garden spaces, educational programs, and advocacy for urban agriculture.

About the speaker: Alistair Howes works with FED Urban Agriculture, a food security initiative based in Victoria, BC. With a background in fine dining and urban farming, Alistair's work is driven by a passion for reconnecting people with the food systems that sustain them, and a belief in local food production as a catalyst for transforming our relationship with the environment.